12 Newspapers, Zines, & Blogs
Do people even read newspapers anymore? They’re so old-fashioned! Don’t we get our news from TV shows, websites, and social media outlets? Isn’t everything on the internet? Survey after survey during the last ten years, however, concludes that children and teens prefer physical print to electronic reading. Librarians know that competent readers who choose not to read (formerly referred to as reluctant readers) will read if given a choice of magazines, comics, and graphic novels.
We know that newspapers and magazines provide information in unexpected, serendipitous ways. As we browse the pages, a headline catches our interest and we read about lemurs in Madagascar. And they’re low-tech—no Wi-Fi necessary. Paper and a writing implement are all we need to create our own newspaper.
Newspapers and magazines are the perfect format for high-interest short reads. Although common wisdom states that newspapers are written on a fifth-grade reading level, studies show that they range beyond this, to high-school-level writing. And we know that if the interest is there, young readers will stretch to meet the challenge. In addition, there are many periodicals created specifically for kids. In our library, for instance, we like to surround young readers with American Girl, National Geographic for Kids, Discovery, Ranger Rick, Cricket, Mad Magazine, and more.
For this version of the Writing Box workshop it’s good to plan ahead, collecting newspapers before the day of the workshop to use as mentor texts. (The one time I didn’t plan ahead, every single paper in NYC had front-page headlines trumpeting a sex scandal.)
Newspapers are also an excellent format for creative writing and assessment. Is a fifth- or sixth-grade class in your school studying the civil rights movement? Partner with the teacher for a research assignment gathering facts about a topic like the Woolworth counter sit-ins, and have students create the front page of a newspaper from that time. To start, ask them to think about point of view: whose story is being told? Who are the readers of this paper?
Mentor texts
Johns, Jerry L, and Thomas E Wheat. 1984. “Newspaper Readability: Two Crucial Factors.” Journal of Reading 27 (5):432-434.
Leedy, Loreen. 1990. The Furry News: How to Make a Newspaper. New York: Holiday House.
Leedy, Loreen. 1991. Messages in the Mailbox: How to Write a Letter. New York: Holiday House.
Taylor, Barbara. 1993. Create Your Own Magazine. New York: Sterling Pub. Co.
A selection of recommended magazines
American Girl: Informational text, stories, activities. American Girl Publishing Group; Ages 7 and up.
Ask: Arts and Sciences for Kids: Features puzzles, riddles, cartoons, and articles. Cricket Publishing Group; Ages 7 and up.
Babybug: Boardbook-type pages. Cricket Publishing Group; Ages 6 months to 2 years.
Boys’ Life: Games, jokes, and how-to articles. Boy Scouts of America, Ages 8-17.
ChickaDEE: Informational content of puzzles, games, pictures and activities focused on animals and people. OwlKIDS; Ages 6-9.
Chirp: “The See and Do, Laugh and Learn Magazine. Short stories, jokes, puzzles and other games. OwlKIDS; Ages 3-6.
Click: Non-fiction articles, stories, cartoons, and activities. Cricket Publishing Group; preschool and early elementary.
Cobblestone American History for Kids: American history, with each issues focused on a specific topic such as the Civil Rights Movement or WWII. Back issues available. Cricket Publishing Group; Ages 8 and up.
Creative Kids: The National Voice for Kids: One of the few magazines for children that includes stories, games, opinions, poetry, drawings, and more written by kids for kids. Prufrock Press; Ages 8-14.
Cricket: The classic in the field; features children’s literature, poems, stories, articles, songs, crafts, and jokes. Contributors include some of the most award-winning and renowned illustrators and writers. Cricket Publishing Group; Ages 8-12.
Dig: Archeology and earth science in single-focus thematic issues, with content often expressed in photographs and graphics. Cricket Publishing Group; ages 9-14.
Faces: Peoples, Places and Cultures: Explores the world through maps, photographs, news, and activities. Single focus thematic issues on topics like Hong Kong, Argentina, and Greenland. Cricket Publishing Group; Ages 9-14.
High Five: Encourages early childhood education skills through easy-reading and craft activities developed to share with parents and caregivers. Highlights Group; Ages 2-6.
Highlights for Children: Childhood classic periodical, with poems, stories, puzzles, jokes, riddles, rebus stories, crafts, and hidden pictures. Highlights Group; Ages 5-12.
Kids Discover: Factual information in single-topic issues; lavishly illustrated with high quality photographs and graphics. Themes include nature, science, and geography. Ages 8 and up.
Ladybug: Contains numerous learning activities, with a particular focus on reading and understanding. Cricket Publishing Group; Ages 2-7.
Magic Dragon: One of the few periodicals that accept child-created submissions. Each issue contains writing prompts and “how-to” activities. Association for Encouragement of Children’s Creativity; elementary grades.
Muse: Informational articles about science, nature, poetry, and the arts. Cricket Publishing Group; Ages 9-14. (Odyssey Magazine for Kids has merged with Muse.)
National Geographic Kids: High-interest, lushly illustrated magazine with a focus on geography, nature, exploration, and wildlife. The website includes links to stories, fun facts, games, and other activities. National Geographic Society; Ages 8-14.
New Moon: The Magazine for Girls and Their Dreams: International magazine designed “for every girl who wants her voice heard and her dreams taken seriously.” Features girl editors and contributors from around the world, and includes stories, poems, artwork, personal profiles, and a variety of informational articles. Ages 8-14.
OWLkids.com: Aims to interest children in nature, science, and the world around them. Includes links to Chirp (ages 3-6), Chickadee (ages 6-9), and Owl (9-13), as well as parent resources.
Plays: The Drama Magazine for Young People: Monthly publication (October thru May); each issue includes 8-10 plays for elementary, middle, and high-school aged students.
Ranger Rick: Monthly magazine with colorful animal photos, funny drawings, and exciting stories that inform children about nature, outdoor adventure, and helping the environment. The online version of the magazine includes websites for homework help, monthly activities, games, sections for parents and teachers, and a sneak preview of the current issue. National Wildlife Federation; Ages 7 and up.
Ranger Rick Jr.: Monthly magazine featuring information and photos about wildlife. Related website offers animal facts, short stories, games, and more. National Wildlife Federation; Ages 4-7. (Big Backyard and Wild Animal Baby, previously published by the National Wildlife Federation, have merged with Ranger Rick Jr.)
Skipping Stones: An International Multicultural Magazine: A nonprofit children’s magazine, Skipping Stones provides a playful forum for sharing ideas and experiences among children from different lands and backgrounds. The magazine accepts art and original writings in every language and from all ages. Non-English writings are accompanied by English translations. Each issue (5 during a school-year) also contains international pen pals, book reviews, news, and a guide for parents and teachers. More information and a sample issue are available on the magazine’s website. Ages 8-16.
Spider: Stories, articles, poems, drawings, cartoons, and letters, aimed at getting children interested in reading. Cricket Publishing Group; Ages 6-9.
Sports Illustrated for Kids: Monthly magazine for elementary age children; includes interviews with sports heroes, comics, and action photos. Web version contains interactive features.
Stone Soup: International magazine written and illustrated by children ages 8-13. Time for Kids: Weekly print magazine with teacher’s guides; website features news, games, and activities, as well as sections for teachers and parents.
Zoobooks: Animal-focused magazines from Ranger Rick, with stories, games, and other activities. Includes Zookies (ages 0-3), Zootles (ages 3-6), Zoobooks (ages 6-12), and Zoodinos (ages 5 and up). National Wildlife Federation.
